When Autumn Grant first heard about the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant, she didn’t give it another thought. A few years later, while working at a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser, she met the current Ms. Wheelchair America and decided that entering a contest founded to promote the achievements and needs of people with disabilities would give her a chance to make a difference.

“I realized that just because the contest had the words ‘Ms.’ and ‘pageant’ before and after it, it wasn’t a beauty pageant,” says Autumn. “I saw it as a great opportunity to get my ideas and voice out there for myself and others with disabilities.”

Autumn’s Disability
When she was 10, Autumn Grant was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a group of disorders affecting voluntary muscles mainly around the hips and shoulders. The diagnoses came as a shock, since Autumn had been active in dance and only showed a few “quirky” signs like walking on her toes and not running as fast as she once had.

At first, Autumn tried to hide her disability so that she wouldn’t be different from other children. Even as climbing stairs and getting up and down from chairs became increasingly difficult, Autumn’s friends helped her get around. It was only when Autumn started working that she realized she couldn’t rely on her best friend, who had helped her get to classes all through college. Autumn began using a three-wheeled scooter, and then switched to a power wheelchair when she went to graduate school, which she says was a key to a more independent life.

“The chair is easier to control, enabled me to drive and be more independent, and allowed me the energy to be me,” says Autumn.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Experience
When Autumn Grant entered Ms. Wheelchair America, she was working in higher education and realized that the numbers of people with disabilities attending college was miniscule. She also knew that getting a good education opened up opportunities for jobs and financial independence.

“Through the pageant, I wanted to address the issues preventing those with disabilities from entering post-secondary education,” she says. “My education has granted me so much, including doing work that I love and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.”

After winning at the state level, Autumn, who had never traveled out of state, pushed herself to overcome her fear of flying and headed to Little Rock, AK, to compete with other women in wheelchairs from across the country. After completing a week of interviews and promoting her platform, “Independence Through Education,” Autumn was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2007 in a formal gala that included military escorts, gowns, sashes, roses and a crown. She spent the next year traveling around the country promoting her platform while helping organizations promote theirs.

“Traveling became second nature, but the best part wasn’t the locations,” says Autumn. “The best part was meeting all the amazing people.” 

Autumn Grant, who took over as Massachusetts state coordinator for the pageant and now serves on its board of directors, has become a huge advocate for the competition.

“The pageant alone was a huge life changing experience for me,” she says. “It works.”

About the Ms. Wheelchair America
The Ms. Wheelchair America pageant was first organized in 1972 by Dr. Philip K. Wood and is open to women aged 21 to 50, single or married, who are scooter or wheelchair users 100 percent of the time for mobility. At both the state and national level, a panel of judges selects the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for people with disabilities judges based on advocacy, achievement, communication, and presentation.

Check out the Ms. Wheelchair America website for more information.

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